Scribble 3

Issue 3

Autumn 2007

The

Happiness Issue

FREE CREATIVE WRITING MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY TELL US ANOTHER ONE

SCRIBBLE SPOTLIGHT ON…

Ali gadema aka FRISKO

WORDSMITH EXTRAORDINARE

HELLO With a dreadful summer behind us, we think you deserve a bit of cheering up!

In this issue of Scribble we’re focusing on all things happy and bringing you sunrays of a literary kind. Check out poems by featured writers Helen Clare and Frisko, sample an extract from the new book Homelands: Stories by African People in Rochdale, and delve into the regular wealth of local talent on the Over to You… pages.

Book artists Hilary Judd and Lucy May Schofield are currently working with groups in Rochdale to make simple but beautiful books by hand. On Page 9 you’ll find How to Make a Book, a brilliant worksheet which will teach you how to create four different book formats to fill with your own words and images.

This page acts as a template, but if you don’t want to cut up your Scribble in the process (and so you shouldn’t!) simply grab a piece of A4 paper and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Happy making, happy reading... and don’t forget to send in your words on the theme of Celebration for our winter issue!

Kim Haygarth Editor

Fresh from hosting the Urban Stage at this summer’s Darnhill Festival, poet, hip hop musician and stage and film actor, Frisko is undoubtedly an artist with many strings to his bow. You can catch him every week at Freestyle Mondays, a night that he set up behind Contact Theatre in Manchester where beatboxers and MCs exercise their lyrical dexterity by throwing one another words and topics for instant rhymes. This autumn Frisko continues to show his dedication to ‘the word’ in Night on the Tiles, a Scrabbleplaying film parody of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

What makes him happy? Passing on his skills and knowledge to up-and-coming spoken word artists, a bottle of golden rum and Madlib’s hip hop beats.

For more information about Frisko check out www.myspace.com/thegreenpooki

Tell Us Another One: Chapter Three It’s been a very fashionable summer for the Tell Us Another One project!

Rochdale residents have been putting on their Sunday best to inspire stories and poems about what we wear and why, for our future Dress Code fashion story supplement. Shamshad Khan has been making poetry handbags with women in Spotland and Deeplish, Helen Clare’s dressing up box has proven very popular as a motivational - and laughter - tool with Darnhill adults and Chanje Kunda’s performance of a newly commissioned poem on the theme of African clothing, Black Diamonds and Blue Birds, was a knock-out at the Karibu event in June. We’re still open for your poems and stories on the theme of Fashion / Dress for what will be a very special publication, but send them in soon being fashionably late will not do!

Us Is

In the meanwhile, Langley Story Group have been focusing on all things joyful in their own limited edition, handmade book, Simply Happy.

Brighten up your day and hunt one out in your local library!

Us is you being prepared to go with, When you could’ve stayed and been comfortable Without

If you’re itching to let your creative powers loose, come along to one of our four story groups which meet in Darnhill, Deeplish, Langley and Spotland. Each group meets monthly to write, tell stories, drink lots of tea and eat even more cake and biscuits.

Us is evaporated milk hitting hot porridge, Countryside getaways, Staring at constellations in the black night sky, Champagne delight,

Us is cradles through tears And back to back dramas That we came out the other side of Smiling Us is a warm cuddle on an icy evening, Soft skin to soft skin that I couldn’t sleep without, Tickles in the morning, Funny voices that we would not speak for others,

For more information about any element of the Tell Us Another One project or Scribble contact Kim at Cartwheel Arts on 01706 361300 / kim@cartwheelarts.org.uk or visit www.cartwheelarts.org.uk

Us is me being a penniless performer And you having the faith that your man, Will One day Make something that could feed us both, Us is not knowing what’s up, But not pushing too hard for an answer.

Us is playful banter.

Scribble c/o Tell Us Another One Cartwheel Arts 110 Manchester Street Heywood OL10 1DW Email: kim@cartwheelarts.org.uk

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Us is hot cooked home dinners, Shared in the cold winter, Us is insecurity, and embarrassment, Without the shame.

Us is romance without romance, Us is love. © Ali Gadema aka Frisko

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SCRIBBLE FOCUS ON...

Over To You…

HELEN CLARE, HEYWOOD’S OWN

Happiness

Helen Clare is one very busy lady: writer-in-residence at the Museum of Science and Industry, creative writing teacher for Lancaster University, workshop leader on the Dress Code writing project in Darnhill, not to mention numerous poetry reading bookings and corset-making commissions!

But she was still happy to make time to talk to Katie Haigh about life as a poet.

When did you start writing?

I wrote poems from the age of 6 or 7. I know my aunt bought me a poetry book around then, and that might have sparked off an interest.

One of my first poems was something about eating a holly berry and dying. I have a horrible feeling I put it in a birthday card to my mum!

You used to be a biology teacher. Did you find your pupils encouraged you in any way in your writing or distracted you from it?

I wasn’t really writing regularly at that time. I think one of the things I learnt from teaching was clarity. Children are great barrack-room lawyers - you have to say exactly what you mean. If you’re not careful you’ll get what you asked for and not what you thought you asked for. It also helps that I taught sex education for many years. I’m pretty much unembarrassable and I think that helps when writing about difficult subject matter.

Have you ever written poetry in order to shock?

I don’t write deliberately to shock but I think some of my poetry is shocking. But life’s shocking sometimes. Don’t shoot the messenger....

Me and My Mother One of These Days It will be bright and cool. I’ll wear cotton.

Fresh, as if the miles were moments away.

You’ll be in the garden, with muddied knees, your face soiled where you paused to scratch your nose.

The washing will be out, I’ll climb the steps to the kitchen. The pots will be unwashed.

You won’t have shopped. I’ll put the kettle on, find fruit and cheese at the back of the fridge.

Neither of us will say hello. © Helen Clare Taken from her collection Mollusc, published by Comma

How did you become the successful poet you are?

I am? Slowly, bit by bit, I learned my craft and I built up a reputation.

If there is a short cut I didn’t find it!

You grew up in Heywood. Can you give us a simile about the town?

If the Pennines are the backbone of England, then Heywood’s a little mole on the left cheek....

What three top tips would you give to other poets who wish to follow in your footsteps?

Be free in your drafting, be rigorous in your editing, and allow your life to enrich your work.

And last but not least, I hear you want to wear a dress made out of carpet that you once saw in an advert. If you managed to get hold of this dress where would you wear it?

Somewhere with faded grandeur - and not very warm. The Midland Grand at Morecambe perhaps.

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Autumn and the world’s aglow The trees are red and brown you know The garden is now going to sleep And leaves they lie all around my feet.

The evening holds a sunset so beautiful and rare The clouds form shapes you really can’t compare We walk the dogs, enjoy the view And it’s all free to me and you.

And no-one should miss the Autumn moon And the geese that fly each night Their formation is so wonderful And makes a lovely sight.

© Spotland Story Group

It’s dark now and stars come out The houses show their lights The day is over, the day is done It’s time to say goodnight.

With all the work you do, when do you find time to write?

I set aside a day a fortnight for writing. I mark it in my diary and treat it as if it were a work booking. I then drive out somewhere taking my notebook with me, sit in a cafe, drink lots of coffee and write. I find that the ideas start to circle when that time’s due. I also find that driving’s quite good for loosening up the mind. I’m not sure loosening up the mind is good for driving though.

You also make corsets. Tell us a corset story!

My favourite of all the corsets I’ve made was cut from my boyfriend’s old RAF uniform. I made it for a very beautiful woman. My boyfriend sent pictures of it to all his ex-forces mates saying, “Now that’s how you wear a uniform”. I’m just sorry I never got to see him in it - the uniform that is, not the corset.

Autumn

The colour of my face is exactly the same shade as hers But the pitch of her voice is lower than mine.

We both have long hands She hates TV; I love watching dramas.

Two identical heads of dark black hair But she is more hard-working than me.

We smile the same – and through stressful times But she grows coriander while I cook with it.

Our soft skins match But I’m more strict with children.

Both very fussy, perfectionists But I have the height of my grandmother.

We both cry easily: at tragic stories and animal cruelty But I laugh more than she does.

The same long bodies But she hates cooking chicken pilau rice.

She keeps chests of drawers, wardrobes, green sofas, lots of things I sell them to a second-hand shop and buy a new cooker with the money.

Both creative and skilled in craft: embroidery, glass But she’s the expert at crochet and knitting.

She guides me in everything; she is the expert but teaches me well.

© Mary C. Houghton

My Grandma painted her eyebrows on My Grandma painted her eyebrows on And lived in a palace full of gold She had a turret just like Rapunzel And maybe a horse and carriage

My Grandma painted her eyebrows on And looked like a lady from a black and white film She had gowns and beads and long, long gloves And grew special purple hair

Small Talk Children can both entertain and baffle in equal measure with their use of language.

Send us your stories!

“When Sheila was a little girl, one day she was travelling with her mum on a bus full of people.

All of a sudden in a loud voice she proclaimed, ‘I am a prostitute’. Horrified by what her daughter had said, it took Sheila’s mum a while to work out that Sheila had meant to say that she was a ‘protestant’!”

Happiness, one of those fly-away words that variously makes me think of birds. © Phil Hulme

My Grandma painted her eyebrows on And never made me drink flat lemonade Sometimes she had to breathe into a special machine But she was never too tired to play My Grandma painted her eyebrows on She would have won all the glamorous Gran competitions hands down Other Grandmas just sat knitting and drinking tea Not mine My Grandma painted her eyebrows on © Gemma O’Neill

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Over To You…

Passionberry Lip Balm

HAPPINESS Happiness (How to beat it)

You could say I’ve been to the bottom Of the bottomless pit of despair I must say I’ve prayed for salvation But no one has answered my prayer OK I’m filled with self-pity As my tears fall like rain in the night You could say I’m having a good time In a way I suppose you are right Because it’s great being upset and downcast Having total depression is fun And I’d hate to be happy and cheerful When I can be gloomy and glum When nothing goes right in the morning With luck you will have a bad day That can last right through to late evening If you’re careful to keep it that way But don’t forget to go moaning There is nothing quite like a good groan Make sure that everyone suffers It’s best not to feel bad alone Yes, wallow in all of those bad times There really is naught to lose Don’t ever whistle a bright tune When you can be singing the blues Now if by some mistake or error You chance to feel happy and smile Whatever you do, do not panic Take my word it will pass in a while Remember we’re all made to suffer Recall that soon we must die You’ll soon see there’s nothing to live for Except to break down and cry: Happiness is a feeble delusion Pleasure explodes then is gone Enjoyment is lost in a moment Only misery goes on and on and on and on and on … © Paul Blackburn

What’s in a Name

Don’t call me that you little brat that’s not my name… I used to say!!!!!!

© Karen A Porter, Attiya Malik, Shahida Parveen

brigid, bridget, bridie, breda, biddy Warmed to it, through age.

Wined and dined with it.

Grimaced and smiled about it.

Mulled over its origins.

Never go anywhere without it.

Worn like a skin, it reminds me of where I begin.

Repeated to strangers, slowly spelt out loud.

My heritage reclaimed as it proudly proclaims, a place on the Earth once more saintly common than rare.

Now a name buried so deep, my children despair should I ask gently, ’Any chance you’d name a child after me?’

Then a laugh in reply, ‘You must be mad, you might well be Irish, Mother, and I do love your name.

But, all the same, NO child of mine is going to be called after a Scottish pasty!!!’

Whisky See walls magnolia brown.

Frameless photographs of a yacht.

Portable TV, library books.

See through eyes, red with white lines.

White hands with brown tips.

Holding a chipped crystal glass.

Now, it’s a different story

Your hands shake too often now.

Smoke sloths in the small space.

Ice chinks in the silence.

Melts in the cold.

Yellow waves break.

One day they’ll be broken glass. © Scott Devon

Five Thoughts on Happiness 1 2 3 4 5

Nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storm of life To get full value from joy, you must have someone to divide it with Love is the Quest, marriage the Conquest, divorce the Inquest Love looks through a telescope, envy through a microscope The most lonely place in the world is the human heart when love is absent

© Shaista Aamir Butt

© Bridie Breen

Glorious Aromas Wanted: A Romantic Boyfriend

Someone who will buy flowers for any occasion You will need to know several restaurants to take me to And be able to whisper ‘sweet nothings’ That make me feel a million dollars in an apron To make any and every day feel special To kiss me awake in the mornings No matter how much we drink But then only to drink occasionally Because the last one drank too often © Anne Wareing

If you would like your words to be considered for these pages,

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I can smell fruits growing in the garden, cocktail fruits too, A big yellow grapefruit - my favourite food, it’s good for you.

I think of when I was a child going into sweetshops to buy pear drops.

I smell milkshake It invites me to Participate, Touch, Taste.

get in touch!

The theme of the next Scribble is Celebration. Think as widely around this word and its associations as you like – we’re looking for lots of original ideas. Get in touch by Friday 26 October. Scribble contact details are on the back page.

Maximum number of words for any submission: 300. Please note that Scribble reserves the right to edit submitted material.

Don’t worry if you have sent in work and don’t see it here. We receive a lot of material through, but we do keep it all and may publish it in a later edition.

Fresh roses that are still growing A cup of hot tea and a piece of toast (with lots of margarine) The smoky smell of wet wood in the sunshine after mist Sandalwood – expensive – at the cash and carry, or in an essential oil The lavender air freshener I spray right through the house My next door neighbour’s rosemary that I touch every time I walk past Onions, vegetables, bacon – anything that’s cooking Chips when I’ve an empty stomach Palmolive shampoo with almond and honey – nice and fresh My perfumes: Soi Rouge, Poison, Night Musk from Avon Ylang Ylang in baby oil Melons in the summer The first smell of mud when it starts raining The big jasmine flowers in our garden in Pakistan and the bracelets and earrings that I make out of them and wear until they wilt The rose flowers growing next to my sister’s house. In the morning we breathed the scent In ……

And out….

In….

And Out…. © Spotland Story Group

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HOW TO…MAKE A BOOK

Over To You…

out of a single sheet of paper, without GLUE, no tricks, no funny business.

Just cut off this top str instructions to any piece of A4 paper. Sit down with a cup of tea and prepare to self-publish your poems, stories and drrawings!

HAPPINESS Power To the writers Who, with pens and insight, Take us on mystical journeys Riding magic carpets covered with words.

Power To the artists Who, with sureness of touch And inspired vision, Keep us mesmerized By the light and shade.

Power To the music makers Who, with their passion, Make the music That carries our souls to ecstatic heights.

Power To the people Of different colours Religions And cultures Who make our world A beautiful place. © Kathleen Chorlton

Happiness is found....

Happiness is found.....

In the brightness of the sun In the vividness of a flower In the babble of a stream Is where happiness is found Happiness lies....

In the eyes of a parent In the arms of a partner In the actions of a friend Is where happiness lies Happiness is heard....

In the purr of a cat In the laughter of a child In the song of a bird Is where happiness is heard © Sirah Quyyom

A Good Night In

I love a

Phone chatting Chippy then chocolate eating Husband snoring Hot bathing Feet resting Cocoa making Desperate Housewives watching Good book reading Getting boring Comfy slipper-wearing Peace loving TV soaping Electric blanket switching Sofa lounging Family gathering Chores hovering Child playing Radio 2, 3, or 4 listening Bacardi drinking Hand warming Into bed jumping Cookie dunking Solo dancing Hairbrush singing Doorbell ignoring night in. © Darnhill Story Group

Green Weekend

Swiftly, as from siren’s call We drove from peopled throngs To play where tiny beasties crawl Amid our nature’s songs.

We drove and left behind the grey Square cut lands, and packed Our little lively days Upon our pale, soft backs.

Then, ancient, searched a place to hide Upon a peopled park.

Between road and river side We played into the dark.

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© John Foster

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POWER Winning

Diamond Mines

MY LIFE STORY Scribble caught up with Mathieu Wetu, professional interpreter, participant in the Homelands African story project, and originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, to find out about his story preferences.

What is the Swahili word for ‘story’?

Hadisi

Image: Neequaye Dsane

Would you rather read a real-life story or a fictional one?

I think that real-life-stories are inspiring because they are facts not myths.

Do you keep a diary?

Yes. To remember things and keep old memories.

What was the last film that you enjoyed watching?

I seldom watch movies. I would rather watch a documentary because they are about real life. After all life itself is a reality isn’t it?

The Scribble Young Writers Award

If you know a young adult group who would like to submit writing to the Young Writers Award, get in touch with us.

Turn the page for this issue’s competitions.

P lenty of muscles O lympic strong men W ires and plug sockets E lectricity Tick-tock Voices A door closes A lace fastens…

‘I got the power’ Said old James Brown But power’s more than an abstract noun Or 2 to the power of 3 Or Austin or Tyrone Or a windmill tilting breeze Or power behind the throne

Who is the best storyteller you have ever met?

My Grandfather because he told stories - true stories and fables - that were so interesting. He made me laugh, but he also taught me so many lessons about life. He has gone now, but I still remember the stories he told me as clearly as ever.

Congratulations to Rebecca Nadin! Your book token is winging its way to you.

Congratulations also to Sylvia Currie who is the winner of the Readers’ Competition.

The correct answer to the question what does a megalomaniac obsess about? was of course power!

© Mathieu N Wetu and Cartwheel Arts Taken from Homelands: Stories by African People in Rochdale

What were your experiences of stories as a child?

In Africa storytelling is a way of life. It’s a common way of passing both historical and cultural values from one generation to the next, particularly in rural areas where telling stories is seen as the only form of entertainment because of a lack of TV or libraries.

This issue Scribble is pleased to launch its Young Writers Award, to encourage up-and-coming talent. Over the summer St Lukes Guides in Heywood have been working hard on the theme of Happiness.

We received lots of great entries to our writing competition asking for your musings on the word Power. It was a really hard job picking a winner but Gerry O’ Gorman just pipped the others to first place! A couple of the runner-up poems are here for your enjoyment.

I have worked in the mines in the Congo before, mostly when I was a student. During the two-month holiday, most students go there to work to get money to buy books and pay school fees: a holiday job. Basically that is the only type of work available. To do it you need to be energetic and muscular – it is hard indeed. As you travel to the mines you hear stories of people being killed, so it is really threatening, but you need to take your courage and try your luck. You find that many of the students end up not finishing school - they enjoy the money too much.

Contact Kim at Scribble for a free copy of this beautiful book or watch out for it in libraries this Autumn.

Happiness

H appiness is an extra slice of Christmas cake A nother walk by the lake P eople around you P eople who care for you too I nside you fizz and bubble N o-one gives you trouble E njoy the feeling S wing and dance on the ceiling S way and enjoy happiness, It may not last forever.

Words

Power owns, power runs, Power down the barrel of a gun Power is land and property Power for you, none for me Blessed power, power divine Power to your elbow, what about mine?

Like Geoff Capes pulling a tractor, Or Simon Cowell on the X-Factor Absolute power corrupts Absolutely, power sucks Unless power’s on the other foot And the foot is limping and blistered…

R eally really loving your family like I do © Jade Summer Kilduff

When you’re lying in bed and someone walks in and hurts you.

Is this POWER? Someone gives you a meal which you like.

Is this POWER? A hand is lifted to you which gives you a fright.

Is this POWER? You can beat whatever the world throws at you.

Is this POWER? © Gillian Hinsley

Not Sea power, Air power, Pen poised, flags hoist Three bags full power Or I don’t love you anymore power Power on show, so Macho …I mean…

Shhh power, fawn power, breathe, listen, read power, buttercups and daisy power, you go first power, it doesn’t matter power, about power Slate grey Water drips Doors close A glove stretches… © Gerry O’Gorman

© Rebecca Nadin

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What’s going On? Shorter days, even more rain….

Never fear, there are plenty of arts and culture opportunities on offer this autumn to keep your spirits up!

Competitions For the READERs: To win a £20 book token and a very special limited edition Poetry Bag and other goodies, simply answer this question:

Open Mic Poetry Night Fourth Sunday of every month, 8pm, £1 The Olde Boar’s Head pub, Long Street, Middleton This regular night for poetry writers and appreciators goes from strength to strength. Great atmosphere and friendly welcome guaranteed. For more information contact Paul Blackburn at Write Out Loud on 07796 475490 or just come on down!

Life and Freedom: Experiences Of War And Independence Until Sunday 4 November, Free The WaterWay, Imperial War Museum North A small but powerful display of photographs and personal stories to mark the 60th anniversary of the Independence of India and foundation of Pakistan - one of the major events of the 20th century. The exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse of the enormous contributions made by Indian people during the Second World War. Call 0161 836 4000 or visit www.iwm.org.uk/north for more details.

Manchester Literature Festival Thursday 4 - Sunday 14 October Various venues across Manchester Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Festival, a cutting edge programme of events will feature some of the world’s most inspirational and well-loved poets and authors.

For more information visit www.mlfestival.co.uk or ring 0161 236 5725.

Linton Kwesi Johnson Friday 5 October, 8pm, £12 The Performance Space, Oldham Library Known and revered as the world’s first reggae poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson has toured the globe with his unique storytelling. Don’t miss this brilliant opportunity to catch the master wordsmith in intimate Oldham surroundings. To book tickets call Ticketline on 0161 832 1111 or log-on to www.ticketline.co.uk

Shades of Brown Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 November The Library Theatre, Manchester Around the globe money and time is poured into tanning or bleaching. From a South African albino to a skin-bleaching Indian bride, Rani Moorthy, with her celebrated mix of warm and powerful storytelling, transforms herself into funny and poignant characters who share an ironic kinship through the one thing they cannot hide, or hide from - their skin.

Who is the author of the classic novel, War and Peace?

For the Writers: A Short Spell of

Peace and Quiet This issue’s challenge is to write a poem or story using a maximum of 100 words inspired by the phrase Peace and Quiet.

The winner will scoop a £50 voucher of their choice, a Poetry Bag and more besides, and of course be published in the Winter edition of Scribble.

The three ‘dos’ are: * make your work unique and interesting * give your submission an original title * make every word count!

Entries to both competitions should be sent to Kim Haygarth at the Scribble email / postal address (details below) by Friday 26 October 2007.

If you have entered Scribble competitions before, don’t worry enter again!

Scribble c/o Tell Us Another One Cartwheel Arts 110 Manchester Street Heywood OL10 1DW T: 01706 361300 F: 01706 361400 E: kim@cartwheelarts.org.uk

Bookworms Love Bright Books!

Bright Books in Rochdale has been selling excellent books at great prices for 10 years. They have an amazing range of children and adult books in stock including an unbeatable dual language and foreign language selection. If you’re looking for something different drop in on them at Shaw House, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6ND. Ring first on 01706 641617 to check opening hours.

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